Open carry of concealed weapons was a hot debate as the summer months of Texas approached. Between May and June, a number of gun laws were passed by the
legislature and signed by Gov. Abbott. One of these laws was
the SB 11, “Campus Carry”. This law relates to the “carrying of handguns on the
campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher
education."
As of August 1st, 2016, exactly fifty years after the mass
shooting at the University of Texas, ironically, “campus carry” will go into effect. The new law states that licensed concealed handgun holders are permitted to carry guns
on college campuses. Fortunately, there’s some room in the law for colleges to
prohibit guns in certain areas on campus, though this part of the law is quite ambiguous
as it stands today.
Between 1980 and 2012, more than 287 people were killed in school
shootings (not just colleges, but schools as a whole), claims a study noted in Slate Magazine. This doesn’t even begin
to count the number of other mass shootings over the years, such as recent movie
theater and church shootings. In a Mother Jones investigation, there were 21
deadly school shootings between 2012-2014. Not including the shooters, 32 people were killed, and
many more injured, within the 2 year period proceeding the Sandy Hooker school
shooting (source: Mother Jones).
“I think it’s a great day for
all Texans. It makes Texans safer. We know that our concealed carry licensees
will, as they become eligible to open carry, will use their best judgement in
every situation," gun proponent Sen. Estes told Breitbard Texas.
Do our legislators not understand how this is putting college students in danger? "Best judgement" is a loosely held term when it comes to college-aged students.
College years can be a tumultuous set of years, where
students are often under a lot of stress between family, relationship, school and
societal pressures. The emotional and mental state of many students can
waver significantly during these years, not to mention the consumption of booze
that happens during this period of life. I would not want guns to be around me (or my children when I have them) especially during this period of life.
If school is to be a safe learning zone, is it really safe to allow guns on campus? Of all places, I would think colleges would be one of the last places where guns would be permitted.
As I sat in class this evening, I caught myself in class thinking about whether any of my classmates were carrying guns. And, if (and who) would be most likely to open fire in class. Rather than think about this, my energy would much better be spent focusing on class and the two tests I have this week.
Now that guns are allowed on campus, what does this mean for the safety of our students who are, arguably, our future? As more and more laws are passed on gun control, I hope our legislators realize how permitting "campus carry" is only putting more of us -- and America's future -- in harm.
1 comment:
I whole-heartedly agree with what the author has to say. The state of Texas already allows the act of carrying a handgun in public places and local areas. But isn’t extending the limitations to include schools and universities a little bit too extreme? Katie’s editorial already contains some statistics of school shootings and deaths caused by surreal criminals. I would also like to add to those numbers but in a more ironical way – the rate at which suicides occur. Everyone is concerned about their own personal safety and they think that by allowing guns in colleges and universities that they would be protected from others. However, that same gun that was used for protection can be used against oneself. College is a rough time for young adults. Their perspectives on life and mentality are not fully developed causing irrational actions to be taken when invoked by simple emotions such as sadness, stress, depression and anger. And – what psychiatrists and psychoanalysts have observed through multiple studies – suggests that society generally acts due to personal, impulsive emotions rather than hard logic or justice. A suicide report from 2004 and 2005 shows that many suicides occur in southern states (yes Texas is included) – most deaths around the age of 15 to 24 years old (ages most students in college would be). A whopping estimate of 32,500 men and women have committed suicide and the choice of method is indeed by firearms by around 17,000 victims – over half the amount deaths that took place surpassing other methods such as suffocation, poisons and ‘other methods’ combined.
I would also like to comment on Sen. Estes “wise” words. Sadly, in my opinion, there are a few people with pristine good judgement as the words “best judgement” is skewed through every individual like a game of telephone. The ability to carry a licensed gun is enough for someone to feel a gain in power and authority derived from absolutely nothing. In many cases, authority figures such as the police force are already making headline news with their infamous use of gunfire and force upon innocent people. If we can’t get our officers to be using guns “in their best judgement” what makes it justifiable to let every person with a gun license carry around concealed firearms on school campuses?
The need to do so is an unnecessary one. Just because you have a gun doesn’t necessarily mean it will protect you 100% of the time. For instance, if you were held at gunpoint from behind or if you have been caught off guard by an approaching criminal with a gun. The act of just reaching for “something” have caused many criminals to open fire as well as police officers. During such instances, trying to outsmart your opponent is very risky and the cost of that risk may be more than just a scratch or bruise.
"It’s unnecessary to carry concealed guns around campus. I don’t mean to sound cliché but schools are places for learning not a potential shooting ground. Many people can act out due to stress, depression, anger, jealousy, sadness, etc. College life outside the learning environment includes drugs, parties, alcohol, initiations, rushes, pranks, etc. and are possible events that can lead up to the use of a gun. Those who are not licensed to have a gun can easily obtain one by taking it from a friend without their notice or can just simply ask them. There is a reason why not all Texas schools are allowed to carry concealed handguns even though the state allows individuals to openly carry around firearms. There is potentially a greater risk for problems, crime and accidents if it was. If a school does experience a shooting, perhaps we should not blame ourselves for the event for not having weapons on hand but rather police or law enforcement for their ability (or lack thereof) to control the situation. Yet we should blame the school or university for their lack of security/police forces on campus or direct our focus toward Texas government for their lack of funding towards schools to pay for better security."
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